Search Kit Carson County Records

Kit Carson County maintains public records at the courthouse in Burlington. The clerk and recorder's office handles property records, marriage licenses, and other recorded documents. Court staff maintain case files for civil and criminal matters. Sheriff's office personnel manage law enforcement records. Anyone can request most government documents under the Colorado Open Records Act. Some records are searchable online through state databases. Others require in-person visits or written requests to the county. Processing time depends on record type and availability. Fees apply for research, copying, and certification services provided by county offices.

Clerk and Recorder Office

The Kit Carson County Clerk and Recorder is the official record keeper for the county. This office records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents. They also issue marriage licenses and maintain marriage records. The clerk's office is in the county courthouse in Burlington.

Office hours are Monday through Friday during regular business hours. It's a good idea to call ahead if you're making a special trip. Staff can tell you if they have the records you need. They can also explain fees and processing times.

To search for records, you can visit in person. Staff can help you use the indexing system. You'll need to know what you're looking for. Names, dates, and document types help narrow the search. Once records are located, you can request copies.

Recording a new document requires payment of recording fees. These vary based on page count and document type. Copy fees for existing records are twenty-five cents per page. Certified copies cost extra. Payment is required before copies are provided.

Court Records Access

Kit Carson County is part of the 13th Judicial District. The district court handles major civil cases, felonies, domestic relations, and probate matters. County court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and small claims. Both courts operate from the county courthouse.

Court records can be searched through the Colorado Judicial Branch website. The judicial branch provides public access guides. Some case information is available through third-party services like LexisNexis Colorado Courts.

Not all court files are public. Juvenile cases are sealed by law. Adoption records are confidential. Mental health proceedings have restricted access. Domestic violence cases may have protective seals. Check with court staff about record availability.

To request copies of court documents, contact the clerk of court. You may need to complete a records request form. Include case numbers if possible. Staff will check if documents can be released. Copy fees and research fees may apply.

Property and Land Records

Property records are maintained by the clerk and recorder. When someone buys land or a building, the deed gets recorded. Mortgages and liens also get recorded. This creates a public record of property ownership and encumbrances.

Search property records by owner name or legal description. Each recorded document receives a reception number. This number makes it easy to find specific documents. The clerk's office indexes all recorded documents.

The county assessor maintains separate property records. Assessor records show property values and tax assessments. These determine how much property tax is owed. Both offices keep property information but for different purposes.

Colorado Open Records Act

CORA governs access to government records in Colorado. The law starts at C.R.S. § 24-72-201. It declares that public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times. Kit Carson County must follow CORA like all Colorado government entities.

To make a CORA request, submit it in writing to the custodian of the records. Each office or department controls its own records. There is no central records office. Contact the specific department that created or maintains the documents you want.

The county has three working days to respond. They can extend this by seven days if needed. Response time starts when the request is received by the proper custodian. A response doesn't mean you'll get records in three days. It means they'll tell you whether records exist and provide cost estimates.

Fees are allowed under CORA. The first hour of research and retrieval is free. After that, counties can charge up to forty-one dollars per hour. Copy fees are twenty-five cents per page. Electronic records are often provided by email at no charge. Payment may be required in advance.

Some records are exempt from disclosure. These include personnel files, attorney work product, and medical records. Security information may also be withheld. If a request is denied, the custodian must cite the legal exemption.

Vital Records Information

Birth and death certificates are not issued by county offices. Contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for vital records. The state maintains centralized birth and death records.

Marriage licenses come from the county clerk. Kit Carson County issues licenses to couples getting married in the county or elsewhere in Colorado. The county keeps marriage records. You can order certified copies from the clerk's office.

Divorce records are kept by the district court. If a divorce was granted in Kit Carson County, the local court has the file. For divorces granted elsewhere, contact that county's court. The state vital records office only provides index searches, not copies of divorce decrees.

Criminal Justice Records

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains statewide criminal history records. CBI's database includes arrests and convictions based on fingerprints. Only Colorado criminal history is included. Out-of-state records are not in the CBI system.

You can search criminal records online through the CBI Internet Criminal History Check System. Online searches cost five dollars. Mail-in requests cost thirteen dollars. Results show Colorado arrests, charges, and case outcomes.

The Kit Carson County Sheriff's Office maintains local law enforcement records. This includes incident reports and arrest records. Sheriff's records are subject to the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act. Some records may be restricted to protect investigations or victims.

Court records also contain criminal case information. These are separate from CBI records. Court files show charges, proceedings, and outcomes. Search district court records for felony cases. Search county court records for misdemeanors.

Historical Records

Older records may be stored at the Colorado State Archives. The archives hold historical documents from counties throughout the state. This includes death records, probate files, and other historical materials.

Archives visits require appointments. Call 303-866-2358 to schedule. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, ten a.m. to four p.m. Many records can be searched online through the archives website before you visit.

Not all old county records are at the state archives. Some remain with Kit Carson County. Ask the county clerk about historical records. Storage and accessibility vary for very old documents.

State-Level Resources

The Colorado Secretary of State provides CORA information and resources. Their website has guidance on making effective records requests. The Secretary of State also maintains business entity records.

Business records can be searched free online. This includes corporations, LLCs, and other entities registered in Colorado. The Secretary of State also has UCC filings. These show secured transactions and liens on personal property.